What does a reading and writing workshop look like in the middle and high school? How does a reading and writing workshop motivate and engage older students? How does a workshop differ from a traditional classroom? With an abundance of curricular demands, why would a teacher opt for a workshop format?

For two days, teachers will explore these questions and others. During a part of each day, teachers will be immersed in a reading and writing workshop where they will experience workshop from the inside. Based on this highly interactive experience, they will understand a contemporary model of reading and writing workshop designed to engage middle and high school students. At the end of the two days, they will leave with strategies for designing a reading and writing workshop, a collection of tools that will support their learners, and a variety of practical tips.

Participant Outcomes

Understand the essential elements of a reading and writing workshop, including time, choice, response, and demonstration

Apply reflections on model lessons to their instruction

Have a collection of mini-lessons for both reading and writing

Know ways to address standards in a reading and writing workshop

Recognize the balance between teacher-directed and student-centered work

Stevi Quate’s Biography

For over 25 years, Stevi Quate taught English/language arts to middle and high students and was the recipient of the “Outstanding Writing Teacher” award. After leaving the high school classroom, she was the state literacy coordinator at Colorado Department of Education and for another seven years a faculty member at the School of Education, University of Colorado at Denver (UCD). At UCD, she helped initiate the Secondary Literacy Network. Along with being the president of both the state affiliates for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association (IRA), she directed Colorado Writing Project for ten years, continues to co-direct Colorado Critical Friends Group, and served on the advisory board for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Along with her state work, she is a consultant on adolescent literacy with the Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC) and has worked with schools throughout the nation and internationally. She has written articles for many publications and has a chapter on Critical Friends in the Learning Forward’s book, Powerful Designs for Professional Learning. She is the former co-editor of Colorado Reading Council Journaland has co-written two books with John McDermott: Clock Watchers: Six Steps for Motivating and Engaging the Disengaged across Content Areas (2009) and The Just-Right Challenge (2013).

Accommodations and Airports

Morrison recommends staying at the Taichung Maison de Chine Hotel. It’s a five minute drive from campus. Click here for more information.

Morrison recommends you fly into Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) or Taichung Airport (RMQ). Getting to Morrison from Airport for more information on getting to campus from the airport.